Bicycle brake pad assembly

ABSTRACT

A bicycle brake assembly includes a support member having a support base and a rod extending from a first side of the support base so as to be connected to the brake arms of the brake mechanism. A first brake pad and a second brake pad are respectively connected on a second side of the support base. The first brake pad has a wedge-shaped end defined at a leading end thereof so as to avoid mud from being attached on the first brake pad, and a groove which is defined in the first brake pad in a radial direction of the rotation of a wheel. A plurality of recesses are defined in the second brake pad so as to absorb the noise when braking.

FIELD OF THE INVENTION

[0001] The present invention relates to a bicycle brake pad assemblyincludes two brake pads connected on a support member and one of the twobrake pads has a wedge end for preventing mud from being attached on thebrake pad and the other pad has recesses for reducing noise.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

[0002] A conventional bicycle brake pad 60 is shown in FIG. 5 andgenerally includes a longitudinal body with transverse grooves 61defined in a surface thereof and operation surfaces 62 are separated bythe grooves 61. However, the direction of rotation of the wheel shown bythe arrow is perpendicular to the direction of the grooves 61 so thatwater cannot be drained off from the contact surface between theoperation surfaces 62 and the wheel rim (not shown). The water reducesthe friction between the wheel rim and the brake pad 60 and causes lessbrake force on the wheel. FIG. 6 shows another embodiment of theconventional bicycle pad 70 wherein the grooves 71 is arranged at adirection that is the same as the direction of rotation of the wheel sothat water is guided from the grooves 71. Nevertheless, mud could bestuffed in the grooves 71 and affects the function of the grooves 71.

[0003] The present invention intends to provide a brake pad assemblywherein mud and water can be guided away from the pad so that the brakepad functions as desired.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

[0004] In accordance with one aspect of the present invention, there isprovided a brake assembly which comprises a support member with asupport base and a rod which is connected to the brake mechanism. Afirst brake pad and a second brake pad are respectively connected on thesupport base. A wedge-shaped end is defined at a leading end of thefirst brake pad and a groove is defined in the first brake pad andextends in a radial direction of the rotation of a wheel. A plurality ofrecesses are defined in the second brake pad.

[0005] The primary object of the present invention is to provide a brakepad that effectively prevents mud and water from being trapped betweenthe brake pad and the wheel rim.

[0006] The present invention will become more obvious from the followingdescription when taken in connection with the accompanying drawingswhich show, for purposes of illustration only, a preferred embodiment inaccordance with the present invention.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0007]FIG. 1 is a perspective view to show the brake pad assembly of thepresent invention;

[0008]FIG. 2 is an exploded view to show the brake pad assembly of thepresent invention;

[0009]FIG. 3 shows the brake pad of the present invention has awedge-shaped end which faces the direction of rotation of the wheel;

[0010]FIG. 4 shows the brake pad assemblies are connected to brake armson a bicycle frame, and

[0011]FIGS. 5 and 6 show two conventional brake pads.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENT

[0012] Referring to FIGS. 1 to 3, the brake pad assembly of the presentinvention comprises a support member 10 which has a support base 12 anda rod 11 extends from a first side of the support base 12 such that thebrake pad assembly can be connected to a brake arm of a brake mechanismas shown in FIG. 4 by an urging collar 50, a washer 40 and a locking nut30.

[0013] A first support frame 121 and a second support frame 122 areconnected on the second side of the support base 12 by two respectiveconnection plates 120. A first brake pad 20 and a second brake pad 20′are respectively mounted on the first support frame 121 and the secondsupport frame 122. The first support frame 121 and the second supportframe 122 can be made by metal or stiff material.

[0014] A wedge-shaped end 21 is defined at a leading end of the firstbrake pad 20 and a groove 22 defined in the first brake pad 20. Thewedge-shaped end 21 faces the direction of rotation (shown by the arrow)of the wheel which the brake pad assembly is connected and the groove 22is defined in a radial direction of the rotation of the wheel. A brakeend 23 is located at the opposite end to the wedge-shaped end 21 of thefirst brake pad 20. The brake end 23 is larger than the wedge-shaped end21 and provides sufficient brake area. By the arrangement, thewedge-shaped end 21 effectively splits mud or water that comes towardthe first brake pad 20. The groove 22 is just suitable to guide water toleave from the first brake pad 20 by eccentric force. A plurality ofrecesses 24 are defined in the second brake pad 20′ and noise-absorbingmaterial is stuffed in the recesses 24 in the second brake pad 20′ sothat when the second brake pad 20′ contacts the wheel rim, noise willnot be heard. The shapes of the recesses 24 can be varied according toneeds. A gap is defined between the first brake pad 20 and the secondbrake pad 20′ so that when braking, the first brake pad 20 can bedeformed without interference to the second brake pad 20′.

[0015] While we have shown and described the embodiment in accordancewith the present invention, it should be clear to those skilled in theart that further embodiments may be made without departing from thescope of the present invention.

What is claimed is:
 1. A brake assembly comprising: a support memberhaving a support base and a rod extending from a first side of thesupport base, a first brake pad and a second brake pad respectivelyconnected on a second side of the support base, a wedge-shaped enddefined at a leading end of the first brake pad and a groove defined inthe first brake pad, the groove adapted to be defined in a radialdirection of the rotation of a wheel, a plurality of recesses defined inthe second brake pad.
 2. The brake assembly as claimed in claim 1,wherein support member includes a first support frame and a secondsupport frame, the first brake pad mounted on the first support frameand the second brake pad mounted on the second support frame.
 3. Thebrake assembly as claimed in claim 1 further comprising noise-absorbingmaterial stuffed in the recesses in the second brake pad.
 4. The brakeassembly as claimed in claim 2 wherein each of the first support frameand the second support frame is connected to the support base by aconnection plate.